BB: USAC: USA South Athletic Conference

[vabaseball]

Per usual, I'd rather be the #2 seed in this tournament (Methodist), than the #1 seed (NCWC).  Being the #4 or #5 doesn't look too hot either....

[D-BAT]

Ok, let's be honest about these awards...it's a joke.  Don't know if the conference coaches are the ones that vote or not but Van Sickler as Pitcher of the Year?  Andrew Webb was...excuse me...is a much better pitcher.  He held opponents to .213 BA and his strikeout ratio was better.  Remember that these awards are based on how they did "in conference".

Now, how does 1B Zach Alexander from NCWC not make 1st team??? Amazing!  The kid was tops in batting average,  RBI, doubles, hits, 2nd in total bases, slugging %, 3rd in walks and on base %...a complete popularity contest.  What was he supposed to do?, hit .450....oh hold on, he did that!

Congrats to Scott Van Dusseldorp from SU on POY, well deserved.

Yes, the conference coaches vote on the players.

The only thing I can think of is how the player(s) carried themselves on the baseball field may have played in how the coaches voted.

[narch]

Per usual, I'd rather be the #2 seed in this tournament (Methodist), than the #1 seed (NCWC)

expand on this thought...to me, playing a team that has already played a game (and used what you would think would be its #1 or #2 pitcher since it is a 4/5 game) is a pretty nice advantage, even if the #7 seed this year went winless in conference...gc lost 3 one-run games in conference and lost 2 other conference games by 3 runs or less...they aren't as bad as most 0-12 teams

[narch]

Now, how does 1B Zach Alexander from NCWC not make 1st team??? Amazing!  The kid was tops in batting average,  RBI, doubles, hits, 2nd in total bases, slugging %, 3rd in walks and on base %...a complete popularity contest.  What was he supposed to do?, hit .450....oh hold on, he did that!

Congrats to Scott Van Dusseldorp from SU on POY, well deserved.

to make this even more confusing, alexander actually IMPROVED in conference games, hitting .468 with 2 hr's and 20 rbi in 12 conference games...he should have been not only 1st team, but perhaps poty, in my opinion

He only batted .269 in conference but hell, Inghram only batted .289 in conference and got first team.

it was a hard .289, though...4 hr's and 10 rbi in conference games

[narch]

2 things about monarch players that surprised me a bit...

i thought kelly had a real chance to be a 1st teamer...his in conference record was similar to van sickler's (4-2 vs. 4-1), but most of his ratios were better than van sickler's...it's splitting hairs, because they both had a great season

i was a bit surprised that quick was a first teamer, until i looked at conference only stats....372 and 13 rbi in 12 games...not bad

[vabaseball]

Per usual, I'd rather be the #2 seed in this tournament (Methodist), than the #1 seed (NCWC)

expand on this thought...to me, playing a team that has already played a game (and used what you would think would be its #1 or #2 pitcher since it is a 4/5 game) is a pretty nice advantage, even if the #7 seed this year went winless in conference...gc lost 3 one-run games in conference and lost 2 other conference games by 3 runs or less...they aren't as bad as most 0-12 teams

Two years ago #1CNU had to face Shenandoah in the night cap.  Shenandoah lost their first game and came back fired up for the 2nd game.  It was a tough one and CNU barely got by.

I think NCWC may face the same situation.  Either Ferrum or CNU with a #2 pitcher capable of winning conference games. But the real pressure will be on the #4 or #5 seed who has to play NCWC later the same day.

[LTBB1971]

The team that has the real advantage here I think was Methodist playing a mediocre at best #7 seed Greensboro team.  I can't remember last year but I think NCWC played the looser of #6 and #7, don't quote me on it.

I believe CNU will have a slight edge playing Ferrum.  I believe Brinkman will go vs. Mays.

[vabaseball]

Slight edge, indeed, as it turned out. Am I missing something? The starter has thrown seven good innings and you're up 9-1.  He puts the first two guys on in the top of the 8th.  Isn't that an optimal time to turn to your hopefully warmed up bullpen?

Anyway, CNU holds on to get by Ferrum 10-8 in game 1.

[cnuball25]

Narch: No offense to your boy...I've never even seen Inghram play. But from talking to some of the guys on various teams, I get the feeling that most people think he had a much better year last year and might not of been as deserving of that 1st team selection...but a unanimous all-conference player either way. When you said he hit a "hard" .289 it instantly reminded me of a couple years ago when Matt Wieters of the Orioles hit over/around .400 in spring training. One scout was quoted as saying it was a "soft" .400, which was hilarious to me. Point being, they hit what they hit. But as stated before, sorry...I'm still very bitter about Neal (CNU) not getting all conference simply because they felt obligated to stick someone from Greensboro on there...

USA South Fan: If the coaches decided to take into consideration how players "carry" themselves on the field, that would be a first. When I played there were a couple of players from Greensboro who acted like complete a$$es on the field, but still managed to grab all-conference honors.

But enough about all-conference...glad to hear my Captains pulled out the victory today. I had the same initial reaction as you vabaseball, wondering why Brinkman was still in the game up 9-1. People there tell me his pitch count was only in the 80's, meaning he still probably had some gas in the tank. But on the other hand, if you pull him out then he might recover a tad quicker than normal, meaning he might be more effective if they need him for another start later in the weekend. But hindsight is 20/20...it's time to start rolling boys. Go CNU!!

[Richard of Funchester]

 As I mentioned yesterday, SU needed to be awake for the game today in order to move on.  All I can say after leaving the yard today is that we just moved on.  Other than 3 or 4 guys, the rest of the team looked liked they took some Advil PM last night and never woke up.  Jake Yocum (6.1 ip, 6h, 2er) did his part once again going deep enough to get the ball to Scallion (2.2 ip, 2 h, 0 er) so that he could close the door.  I will have to say that Jake has finally gotten his confidence back on the mound as he seems to be commanding his pitches. 
On the offensive side the only 2 players worth talking about are Mike Smith and Keaton Neeb.  They combined for 6 of the Hornets 8 hits.  The BIG 3 were a no show today as they were a combined 1-11.  Player of the Year Scott Van Dusseldorp and Greg Van Sickler were a combined 0-6 today in spots where they could really help bust the game wide open.  Kevin Brashears (1-5) got a hit in his first at bat, but looked like he was swinging with wood the rest of the game.  My hope is that tomorrow during pregame batting practice Anderson puts his foot up their backsides, because with out their offensive output we can and will struggle the rest of the weekend.  Tomorrows match up should be Jordan vs. Van Sickler; the last time those two met up the Hornets won 4-2.  I do expect tomorrow to be much of the same.
Remember when it gets to this time of the season the goal is to survive and move on.  We did that today and we shall see what tomorrow brings.  As for me some warm Krispy Kremes and a shake from Steak n' Shake will cap off night one of the conference tournament.

GO HORNETS!!

[narch]

Narch: No offense to your boy...I've never even seen Inghram play. But from talking to some of the guys on various teams, I get the feeling that most people think he had a much better year last year and might not of been as deserving of that 1st team selection...but a unanimous all-conference player either way. When you said he hit a "hard" .289 it instantly reminded me of a couple years ago when Matt Wieters of the Orioles hit over/around .400 in spring training. One scout was quoted as saying it was a "soft" .400, which was hilarious to me. Point being, they hit what they hit.

hmm...in a 12 game conference schedule i'll take .289 with 11 runs, 4 hr's and 10 rbi's vs. say, .373 with 7 runs, 0 hr's and 7 rbi's - there's almost a 100 point difference in batting average, but baseball is all about run production...to me, that's the definition of a hard .289

[narch]

i was a bit surprised to see the mu/gc pitching matchup...i thought gc would pitch manfro - although he has struggled this season, i think he gives gc the best chance to win - i thought for sure that mu would pitch willingham or ennis today, rather than kelly...i was 0-2 on that prediction

the monarch offense sure came to play today....such and inghram both hit a bomb and had 3 rbis

[narch]

facing elimination, the panthers take out ncwc...

just looked at some of the photos from each game...the cnu uni's might be the ugliest baseball uniforms ever

[cnuball25]

Mmmmmmm...steak and shake...wish we a couple of those around here huh Funchester (I'm from the Valley FYI).

Which uni's narch?? Please don't tell me you're talking about the white ones...I LOVE those things...wish we had them when I played. I haven't seen any of the photos yet, but I remember I never liked us wear the blue/grey combo...

[hokieone]

Narch, stick to on field play comments-those unis look nice and get lots of compliments. "Ugliest ever?" Not even close. The White Sox polyester softball-style unis will carry that distinction forever.